POEA Overseas Exit Clearance now available online!

OFW's are close to my heart since I came from a family whose main breadwinner is an OFW. Hence, I would like to dedicate issues concerning OFWs here in my blog as it is also a consumer issue.

I received an e-mail from Pilipinas teleserv about a new service of providing POEA overseas exit clearance or OEC online.



For those who would like to know more about POEA overseas exit clearance OEC, this is the FAQ I gathered from the POEA's website.
http://www.poea.gov.ph/balik/balik2008.html

What is a POEA travel exit clearance?

It is a clearance issued by POEA to OFWs who exit from the Philippines for employment purpose.

OFWs with working visas/employment contracts will be allowed to leave the Philippines only if they have a POEA travel exit clearance which comes in the following forms:

a. Overseas Employment Certificate(OEC) – issued in the different POEA regional offices/ regional extension units/satellite offices, POEA deputized OWWA Offices and Philippine Overseas Labor Offices. It is also issued during manual processing of BMs at the POEA Central Office.

b. E-receipt – issued for computerized processing at the POEA Central Office and POEA Regional Offices. It is an integrated receipt for payments of POEA, OWWA, and Philhealth fees.

c. Multiple Travel Exit Clearance(MTEC) The multiple travel exit clearance is a set of two or more clearances issued to a worker-on-leave/Balik manggagawa for use as an exit document within a period of twelve months from date of issuance. It allows the worker-on-leave/balik manggagawa who exits from the Philippines more than once in a period of twelve months to secure his exit clearance on a one-time basis.

The following offices are issuing multiple travel exit clearance:

POEA Main Office, Ortigas

Balik-Manggagawa Processing Civision (BMPD) Service Area
Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Ave. corner EDSA
Mandaluyong City
Tel. No. (02) 7210785, Fax No. (02) 7296342
e-mail: balikmanggagawa@poea.gov.ph

POEA REGIONAL CENTER FOR LUZON
2nd Floor, LZK-Zamboanga Bldg., Quezon Avenue
City of San Fernando, La Union
Telefax No. (072) 242-5608 / 700-4236

POEA POEA SATTELITE OFFICE
DOLE Compound, Trece Martirez, Tacloban City
Telefax No. (053) 321-7134

POEA REGIONAL EXTENSION UNIT – REGION X
Ground Floor, Trinidad Bldg., Corrales Avenue
Cagayan de Oro City
Telefax No. (08822) 724-824

POEA REGIONAL CENTER FOR MINDANAO
2nd Floor, AMYA II Bldg., Quimpo Blvd cor. Tulip O Drive
Ecoland, Davao City
Telefax No (082) 297-7429 / 297-7650
POLO Jeddah

POLO Singapore

All overseas Filipino workers leaving on employment visa / work or equivalent document (such as no objection certificate [NOC], employment pass, gainful occupation permit, confirmation of the right to labor activity, work visa guaranty) shall be required to secure an exit clearance from the POEA or its deputized offices.

Filipino workers with overseas employment contracts but are issued visas other than work / employment (such as: business and visit visa) for the purpose of facilitating the mobilization, shall likewise be required to secure exit clearances from POEA or its deputized offices (POEA Advisory No. 15, series of 2005).

What are the uses of a POEA travel exit clearance?

a. It serves as travel exit pass for OFWs at the airports.

b. It serves as an exemption certificate from payment of Travel Tax and airport terminal fee upon presentation to the airline counter and airport terminal fee counter.

c. It serves as a worker’s guarantee that he is covered by government protection and benefits;
Pursuant to Section 35, Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act 1995 (Republic Act 8042), OFWs shall be exempted from the payment of travel tax and airport terminal fee upon presentation of the POEA exit clearance.
Ground Floor, Trinidad Bldg., Corrales Avenue
Cagayan de Oro City
Telefax No. (08822) 724-824

So you might ask, what makes Pilipinas Teleserv's online OEC service convenient?

According to Pilipinas telerserv website http://www.teleserv.ph/index.php

The POEA Balik-Manggagawa Overseas Exit Clearance (OEC) delivery service enables every vacationing OFW to enjoy on-the-phone processing of their OEC enabling them to enjoy more of their vacation time with the family. No need to go all the way to the POEA. POEA Balik-Manggagawa OEC delivery is open from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm. The door-to-door delivery service has nationwide coverage.

For those OFW who find themselves in the POEA, they can still avail of Balik-Manggagawa Express delivery services. Simply process your passport in the POEA Balik-Manggagawa booth located inside the POEA and expect your OEC to be delivered to you.

You may also contact them at pilipinas.teleserv.inc@teleserv.net.ph or at
POEA Balik-Manggagawa OEC Delivery (02) 737-7777 oecdelivery.com.ph

Yes it's a new service and most of us might be uncomfortable to try something new because we are used to the old ways but I am telling you availing of POEA's online services will save you a lot of time and spare you unnecessary effort. You might think you are saving money if you do it the traditional way but money is something you can always earn back but time spent is something you can NEVER gain again. So spend your time wisely, spend it with family. :)

Celebrating PSI Leadership Success Seminar Batch 238 Graduation at RioZen 2277 Chino Roces Avenue Pasong Tamo, Makati

There is a place at 2277 Chino Roces Avenue Pasong Tamo, Makati called Little Tokyo. It's found in front of the Soliman Corp Center, 2182 Chino Roces Avenue Makati where PSI Leadership Seminars are also held. Amongst the different restaurants available at Little Tokyo, we chose RioZen to celebrate my graduation from the PSI Leadership Seminar.



When you enter the gate of the restaurant, the first thing you will appreciate is that the place is bigger than what you expected. After passing a hall which gives you already a Japanese feel of the place you will be brought to a common area. There are tables outside where you can enjoy to eat under the starlight surrounded by Japanese lanterns. If your sensitive about smoke though, you might want to consider eating inside the restaurants. According to the waitresses stationed beside the restaurants' doors, there are about six to seven restaurants inside the compound. Each restaurant has a Japanese vibe which reminds me of stores you see in Japanese cartoons or animes. For that night we chose to eat at RioZen. According to Riozen, their specialties include Chanko Nabe, Sushi, sashimi, tempura, kushi Katsu, udon, soba, ramen and about 200 kinds of ala carte. For a specialty, they have a wide range of specialties they claim for.





I encouraged my husband to try something new from RioZen that night. My husband being a Japanese cuisine aficionado, he has his all-time favorites but since it was my PSI graduation day, he agreed to take some risks.

For drinks, he ordered yellow mango shake (P120)while I chose fresh grape fruit juice mixed with soda water (P100). I highly recommend the grape fruit juice if you want to try something new but I have to warn you it is really sweet. You might want to opt to mix it with plain water instead of soda water if your counting calories.



For appetizers, we ordered Tamago Sashimi (P160) while for main meal I ordered Kisutendon (P280) which included miso soup and pickles. Kisutendon includes one serving of onion tempura and 3 fish (osoho) tempura with japanese rice.






For my husband he chose, 2 pieces of Yakitori (65 x 2 = P130) and Chicken curry rice which included a bowl of clear soup (P280).





Our bill was P1070 for two which is about P535 each. RioZen prides itself also for not asking for a service charge and all items are VAT inclusive. Hence, its up to you to decide how much tip you are leaving. For us, we consider our dining experience at RioZen to be a very comfortable. We can also say that it is a very affordable Japanese meal to think that we both have drinks, soup, appetizers and a main meal. It is not cheap but also not expensive. It was for us value for our money.

The owners for RioZen, Ms. Zen and his son Mr. Tatsuya made our experience more valuable by giving us complementary coffee jelly desserts. It truly made our Japanese dining experience at RioZen unforgettable.



For reservations in RioZen, the contact numbers are 8943915 or 09285061910. RioZen is open 5:30 until 12:30 am. If you really want to dine Japanese style you can reserve their Japanese rooms which can accommodate until 22 people. However, you have to do this early as the rooms are made available for smoking customers. The inside of the restaurant is for non-smokers. However, if there are not many customers and the rooms are available, you can request to use the rooms. This is something my husband and I plan to do the next time we visit RioZen.







Mr. Tatsuya has only one request, he wishes that more Filipinos would be open to try the Japanese cuisine at Riozen. That night we were his second Filipino customers and that was already 11pm. He said that most of their patrons are still Japanese. He hopes that one day more Filipinos would get to appreciate Japanese food in his authentic Japanese restaurant, RioZen.

Hawthorn enzyme drink and Hot Bed at Zenyu Ecospa, Hotel H2O, Manila Ocean Park

Animal and laboratory studies have found that Hawthorn contains active compounds with antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are substances that scavenge free radicals; damaging compounds in the body that alter cell membranes,tamper with DNA and even cause Cell death.

But what is hawthorn?

According to description found in http://publicdomainclip-art.blogspot.com/ for hawthorn flowers, "the White Hawthorn Blossom (Crataegus arnoldiana) was named the state flower of Missouri on March 16, 1923. These small deciduous trees can be very ornamental as we see in this example. The flowers are white and grow in bunches with associated berries They can vary considerably in form, color and size. The White Hawthorn Blossom is most common in southern Missouri."



USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Herman, D.E. et al. 1996. North Dakota tree handbook. USDA NRCS ND State Soil Conservation Committee; NDSU Extension and Western Area Power Admin., Bismarck, ND.

Free radicals occur naturally in the body but environmental toxins (including ultraviolet light, radiation, smoking and air pollution) can also increase their number.
Free radicals are believed to contribute to the ageing process as well as development of a number of health problems including heart disease.

Antioxidants found in Hawthorn blossoms can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause. Enjoy a free Hawthorn enzyme drink made from Ecoparadise pail of Japan only at Zenyu ecospa.

The Hotbed Bed from ecoparadise are made from a special deoxidizing solution that produces negative ions. These are invisible beneficial air molecules that help ward off bactieria, viruses and free radicals.



Zenyu ecospa means complete healing.
Zenyu ecospa is the only spa with negative ion technology which aims for complete healing of mind, body and soul. A 30-minute treatment helps boost antioxidants in your body to protect us from the harmful effects of free radicals and pollution.

Zenyu ecospa and Hotel H2O rooms and hallways are protected from free radicals using the Ecoparadise technology from Japan.

To book appointments at the Zenyu Ecospa, you may call Hotel H20 at Manila Ocean Park at 2386100 or 5677777 and ask to be connected to Dr. Eric Tan of the Zenyu Ecospa.

Zenyu Ecospa Opening at Hotel H20, Manila Ocean Park September 2010

There's a lot of buzz about the Zenyu Ecospa especially now that different media (print, tv, social networks, etc) are featuring this one-of-a-kind spa. However, one may ask what really makes this spa different from the other spas in the market right now?



(The Zenyu Ecospa reception area: Floor to ceiling coverage of Ecoparadise paint. Breath good air while you book your massage. Negative ions wards off bad air that helps free radicals do their thing.)

The main thrust of this spa is that the Zenyu Ecospa is the first ecofriendly day spa:

1. Zenyu means "complete healing"
2. ecospa - cleans the air with the negative ion technology from Japan.



(Hot bed treatment room with negative ion technology. The first in the country. Good for those with skin problems, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sugar count.)

The hot bed therapy is a dry sauna with negative ion technology from Japan. These tiles and bricks used to build the spa came from deoxidizing solution that produces negative ions. Negative ions are invisible air molecules that help fight against free radicals, viruses and bacteria. Negative ions has been proven to come from large bodies of water. majestic waterfalls and lush green forests. Experience what nature can do in an urban environment. A 45 minute session inside will help alleviate a lot of common stress problems including:

- Aching bodies
- Stuffy nose
- Feeling down and tired
- High cholesterol
- High blood sugar
- High blood pressure



Product display showing what Negative ions can do. This display shows cheese and raw pork inside the spa. The product display did not spoil nor rot even when it is 5 months on display now. This only shows the energy of negative ions. It wards off bacteria, viruses, free radicals and cleans the air of bad air molecules.

Zenyu ecospa partnered with Ecoparadise Japan to bring to the country this hot bed therapy:

The hot bed therapy can:
1. improve blood circulation.
2. improve blood flow.
3. increase immunity.
4. help fight anti-aging.
5. relieves stress.
6. promotes relaxation.
7. relieves pain, allergies, colds and constipation.
8. improves well being of people suffering from cancer and diabetes.



(Ecoparadise product display in Zenyu ecospa)



A sample of Ecoparadise products available in Zenyu Ecospa are Ecoparadise eco-friendly P.E.T bottle with negative ion technology; Multipurpose powder that can be used for bathing, cleaning cars, watering plants, washing clothes, kitchen stuff, insect repellant and more and Plastic containers that can be used to make home made yogurt in just 4 hours.



(Check how your capillaries are doing using the Capillariscope)

There are also a full lineup of body massages guests can choose from.



(Private massage room)



The longest pool in the Roxas Strip



(Jacuzzi)

For more questions about the Zenyu Ecospa, you may call the Hotel H20 at Manila Ocean Park at 2386100 or 5677777 and ask to be connected to Dr. Eric Tan of the Zenyu Ecospa.

(Photos and labels courtesy of Dr. Eric Tan)

Seriously Picture Taking in front of the Bus of the Rolando Mendoza Hostage Drama

I found these pictures circulating in Facebook and I guess the reason why I am posting it is because "come on guys, didn't we learn anything!"

Students I know you think this is just for souvenir purposes but did you know that your picture is captured in a British column http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1305605/2-British-tourists-escape-Manila-bus-siege-8-holidaymaker-hostages-killed.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

with a caption of "Sickening: Students pose for photographs near the damaged tourist bus as people gather to watch the investigation"

The term used to describe your action is "sickening". In Filipino, what can be the translation? Wait could it be nakakasuka? nakakapangilabot? nakakasulasok? or all of the above?

There is even a photo of you guys cursing you but I did not post that picture here because it's just too much. Please show some consideration. The way the authorities handled the situation is being ridiculed by people around the world. Let's not add to that burden anymore.



But I find this other photo more disturbing. I am pleading our policemen to please think. Think before you act. In case you haven't noticed you guys are under a lot and I mean bigger than life concerns and criticisms right now. Please show some honor to the uniform and badge you are wearing. Just pleae stop doing anything that might embarrass our country and you even dared to smile behind one of the world's most gruesome murders.



I hope these are the last two photos I am adding in this mail but if there are more please send it to me and let's make an album of people who does not know the meaning of "remorse".

The E-Mail that Brought Down Captain Mendoza: Hostage Taker of 25 BUS Passengers at Quirino Grandstand August 23, 2010

Hello friends. This is the e-mail purportedly sent by Christian Kalaw's parent to ask for help about their son who was forced to eat shabu and robbed of his salary by Captain Mendoza and his colleagues.

The source is a 2008 blog by http://jimayson.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/crooked-manila-cops-get-served-by-viral-e-mail/

For other details about the hostage taking you can check out:

http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/home/65178/flash-policeman-holds-hostage-tour-bus-with-children-in-manila


http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20100823-288384/Gunman-hijacks-bus-load-of-children-adults

HI ED.

THANKS FOR THE E MAIL. I’D LIKE TO TELL YOU MY SON’S EXPERIENCE WITH THE MANILA POLICE LAST WEDNESDAY EVENING AT ABOUT 10PM.

CHRISTIAN WENT TO THE CONDO AT THE CORNER OF VITO CRUZ AND TAFT AVE. TO RETURN HIS COUSIN’S LAPTOP. HE HANDED THE LAPTOP TO HIS COUSIN AND WENT BACK TO THE CAR. WHEN HE GOT TO THE CAR, THERE WAS A COP ASKING HIM WHAT HE WAS DOING THERE, WHY HE WAS PARKED ON A NO PARKING AREA. CHRISTIAN SAID, IF IT WAS A NO PARKING AREA WHY IS IT THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF CARS PARKED. THE COP SAID OPEN YOUR TRUNK AND CHRIS ASKED, WHY YOU HAVE A WARRANT?

ANYWAY, THE CAR DOORS AND WINDOWS WERE OPEN AND ANOTHER COP SEARCHED THE INTERIOR WHILE ANOTHER OPEND THE TRUNK. IN THE TOOLBOX THEY FOUND THE PLASTIC END OF SPARK PLUGS. THE COP SAID PARAPHARNELIA. THE SAME COP BROUGHT TO THE TRUNK USED PLASTIC SACHETS OF SHABU AND STARTED TO SHOUT DRUGS TO, DRUGS.

SO THEY TOOK CHRISTIAN AND YOU KNOW WHERE, TO THE ATM OF BPI. THEY SAW HIS CARD AND ASKED HIM TO WITHDRAW ALL HIS MONEY. FORTUNATELY HE DOES NOT KEEP HIS MONEY THERE. ONLY HIS SALARY IS DEPOSITED THERE. SO THE COPS WERE INISTING THAT HE WAS A USER. AND MY SON WAS SAYIN DO A TEST NOW SO THEY’LL SEE IF HE’S POSITIVE. HE SAID I CANT WORK IN MANDARIN AS A CHEF IF I’M A USER. HE SAID HE HAD TO GET POLIICE, NBI, BARANGAY, COURT AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE BEFORE HE COULD START WORKING. SO THE POLICE TOOK HIM TO THE HEADQUARTERS AT UN AVE. AND THERE FORCED HIM TO EAT SHABU. IT TOOK A WHILE BEFORE HE ATE IT. SIX COPS WERE PUNCHING HIM AND SCARING HIM WITH THEIR GUNS. TILL THR POOR GUY PEED IN HIS PANTS OF FEAR. HE HAD TO SWALLOW THE DRUG. THEN THE COPS STARTED TO LAUGH. NOW WE’LL SEE IF YOU ARE NEGATIVE OF SHABU.

200,000PHP AND WE’LL LET YOU GO. OR THIS WILL BE AT THE FISCALS OFFICE IN THE MORNING .CALL YOUR FRIENDS AND PARENTS. THIS ORDEAL STARTED AT 10PM. HE WAS ABLE TO CALL ME AT 5AM THE FOLLOWING DAY. POOR SON OF MINE WAS REALLY TRAUMATIZED. A FRIEND OF HIS CAME WITH TWENTY THOUAND THE COPS GRABBED IT AND LET HIM GO AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. I WAS IN LIPA ALL THE TIME THIS WAS HAPPENNING. CHRIS LATER FOUND OUT FROM HIS COUSIN THAT SEVEN OF HER FRIENDS WERE ALSO APPREHENDED BY THE SAME GROUP OF COPS AND ALSO TOOK THEM TO THEIR ATM’S. THEY GOT ALL THEIR MONEY IN THE ACCOUNT. THIS COP IS CAPT.MENDOZA OF THE MOBILE GROUP AND SARGENT GAVINO.

YOU GUYS KNOW INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN THE SERVICE, PLS LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THIS.I WOULD ALSO LIKE FOR THEM TO GIVE THE MONEY THEY TOOK BACK TO MY SON SO HE COULD GIVE IT BACK TO HIS FRIEND. THE MORE PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS SO CALLED POLICE OFFICERS THE BETTER. THIS IS THE TYPE OF GOVERNMENT THAT WE HAVE NOW. DISARM THE POPULATION AND THIS TYPE OF ABUSE HAPPENS. THANKS AND PASS IT ON.

BOB

Zenyu Eco-Spa: Upcoming Blogger Event

Based from teasers I got from Dr. Eric Tan's facebook, the Zenyu Eco-Spa will be using ecoparadise products from Japan. You can check out ecoparadise products by visiting http://www.ecoparadise.com.sg/

The Zenyu-Eco Spa offers "deoxidizing solution from Japan that creates negative ion for better health. An eco-friendly spa that generates its powers from nature." It is also the "first eco friendly spa with negative ion hot bed technology from Japan".



Dr. Eric is currently looking for beauty bloggers who would want to try this one-of-a-kind experience for free. There are just a few requirements:
a. You are an active beauty blogger
b. Subscribe to my site (for faster correspondences between us)
c. If you have twitter, follow me in twitter ia_adam_lim and tweet about this blog
d. If you have facebook, invite me at ia_adam20@yahoo.com and repost this blog

In return, the Zenyu Eco-Spa experience you will get will surely rejuvenate you from inside and out and the best thing about it is that all the products and services you will receive is guaranteed eco-friendly.